Dinagat ARBs receive land ownership certificates

President Arroyo led the awarding of 34 certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of the four municipalities of Dinagat Island in Surigao del Norte the other day amid criticisms that the government’s land reform program was not working.

Mrs. Arroyo also turned over some P119.2 million worth of solar power technology support projects to the municipality of San Jose.

Earlier, the Department of Land Reform announced that more than 250 hectares of agricultural land in Negros Occidental owned by the family of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo were also up for distribution in the next few months.

Land Reform Secretary Rene Villa said this would belie reports that the agricultural land was being excluded from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The President went to Surigao del Norte after her visits to Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Valencia City in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City.

The awarding of the CLOAs was part of the month-long celebration of the CARP’s 17th anniversary.

A big crowd gathered despite heavy rains to witness the awarding ceremony at the San Jose Sports Complex, a Palace statement said.

Villa, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor and government media group head Cerge Remonde accompanied the President in her first visit to Dinagat Island as Chief Executive.

During the brief program, the President turned over 22 CLOAs covering 93 hectares to 47 ARBs in Malimono town; two CLOAs covering six hectares to three ARBs in San Francisco; one CLOA with an area of two hectares to ARBs in Sison town; two CLOAs covering 373 hectares to 162 ARBs in Loreto town; four CLOAs covering 957 hectares to 591 ARBs in Cagidano town; and two CLOAs covering 310 hectares to 180 ARBs in Libjo town.

The President also turned over projects worth P119.156 million to the municipalities of Loreto, Libjo and Basilisa.

In Loreto, at least five barangays will benefit from the projects, four in Libjo, and eight in Basilisa.

The special agrarian reform communities in Basilisa and Libjo will also benefit from the projects.

The President turned over a check for P2.163 million to Dinagat Mayor Gwenlyn Ecleo for the Dinagat Level II water system project and a certificate of completion and acceptance for the P3.813-million Wagas-Purok 3 road project under the Mindanao Sustainable Settlement Area Development Program.

Another check worth P5.5 million was turned over to San Jose Mayor Benglen Ecleo for the Aurelio-Mahayahay-Luna road project.

A total of P2.198 million was given to Mainit Mayor Roger Gatpulitan for the construction of the spillway bridge in Barangay Mansayao.

Among those who welcomed the President were Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, Reps. Glenda Ecleo and Robert Ace Barbers, the mayors of San Jose and Dinagat, former Sen. Robert Barbers and Philippine Tourism Authority administrator Robert Dean Barbers.

In his welcome remarks, Gov. Barbers assured the President that Surigao del Norte supports her administration.

"Regardless of all issues and no matter what happens, we will support your leadership, Madame President," he said.